EOU men's basketball coach Furman resigns

EOU Athletic Department

Published: March 4, 2004

Art Furman led EOU's men's basektball team since 1993.

LA GRANDE, Ore. - The Eastern Oregon University Athletic Department announced today that Art Furman, men’s basketball head coach, has resigned.

“After eleven seasons as head coach of the men’s team, I find it is time to move on,” stated Furman. “The demands of the job have taken its toll and I need to step back and reflect upon my professional goals.”

This past season the Mountaineers finished the regular-season 13-12 and were ranked as high as 19th in the NAIA Division II polls; the highest ranking ever for the men’s program. The Mountaineers were defeated in the Conference playoffs by Southern Oregon University. This was Furman’s seventh post-season playoff appearance during his eleven years as head coach. In 1999-2000, Furman was selected as the Cascade Conference Coach of the Year.

During his tenure coached numerous all-conference selections, as well as three honorable mention NAIA All-Americans and four NAIA All-American Scholar-Athletes. Furman, also, has established many local and regional camps spreading the fundamentals of basketball to area youth.

“I wish Art well in his future endeavors,” stated Rob Cashell, EOU Director of Athletics. “We will begin a national search immediately to identify a replacement. My desire is to have a new coach in place as soon as possible in order to begin the recruiting process for next season.”

Furman’s File:

- During the past 22 years, Eastern has had only five regular-season wining records; four have come during Furman’s eleven seasons (1993, 2000, 2001, and 2004)

- Nationally ranked 19th (NAIA II) during the 2003-04 season – Highest ranking in men’s basketball.

- Back-to-back regular season winning records; 1999-2000 and 2000-2001. First time in 21 years at Eastern with the same head coach.

- Reached the post-season playoffs seven times (1994, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2003, and 2004.). Eastern Oregon had only qualified for the post-season three times during a 21-season span from 1973-1993.

- Nationally ranked in 1993-94 for the first time in school history.

- Second winningest coach in school history – 113 wins.

- Named Conference Coach of the Year in 2000-01; First Eastern basketball coach to win such an award in over 20 years.

- Nominated for Northwest Small College Coach of the Year; Including Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Alaska.

- First Conference road sweep in 21 years during the 2001-02 season.

- Record comeback during the 2001 season of 29 points in the second half against The Evergreen State College – Best ever at Eastern.

- Over the past 11 years, 23 Eastern players and assistants coaches have gone on t become coaches at all levels of basketball, including nine that are currently or are formerly involved at the NCAA Division I level.

- Instrumental in starting the Mountaineer Booster Club

Contact Information

University Advancement Eastern Oregon University One University Boulevard La Grande, OR 97850 phone 541.962.3740 fax 541.962.3680 email University Advancement